Device by ice storage for the discharging of ice

ABSTRACT

In an ice storage ( 10, 12, 14, 16 ) the aim is to ensure that ice is chipped off that surface of the ice mass in the storage, which stems from the water which froze to ice first. Likewise, efficient discharging of chipped-off ice to external conveyor devices ( 23 ) is ensured. This is achieved by means of a particular ice storage floor construction ( 16 ) consisting of parallel, elongate, tubular elements ( 18 ) placed with intermediate slots. The floor elements ( 18 ) carry carriers ( 20 ) in the form of strip-like ice-chipping elements, and the tubular floor elements ( 18 ) are supported individually rotational and are preferably driven collectively. The ice-chipping elements may alternatively be formed through the cornered cross-sectional shape of the floor elements, which provide distinct, longitudinal edge portions of good chipping and carrying properties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device by an ice storage or other room forproducing and storing ice, in which the ice is scraped loose and let outfor further transportation by means of a conveyor.

In known ice storages it is common to loosen pieces of ice from the massof ice (often in the shape of cubes or crushed plate-ice) by scrapingice loose by hand by means of a spade or a motorized rake mechanismpassed across the top of the ice mass. Detached, comminuted scraped-offpieces of ice land in an underlying conveyor in the form of an auger, aconveyor belt or other transport device.

Ice of this kind is used extensively in the fish industry, where fish iscooled and maintains its quality when shipped over short and longdistances. The concrete industry represents another large field ofapplication, where it is often desired to cool sand before cementing.

The top of the ice mass in an ice storage, in the form of the upper icelayer, represents ice which stems from the water which was last cooledand transformed to ice. Thus, the advantageous principle “first in,first out” cannot be followed, and with time ice of the lower layerswill become old and of deteriorated quality. This is of particularimportance in the fish industry, where, reasonably, “fresh ice” isdesired as cover for fish.

Known plants are relatively expensive to buy, maintain and run.Operation is relatively complicated and requires a specially trainedengineer/operator. Some times, when detached ice is discharged, so muchice will slide down that the conveyor at floor level may become blocked.Known plants are less suitable for smaller ice storages with capacitiesof about 50 tons.

Other plants are known, which comprise ice storages with one auger,several such augers or chain drive at the bottom. The first type isexpensive in production, is restricted as to size and cannot be used inconnection with all normal types of ice. The most important drawback is,however, the liability of the construction to require additionalcooling. With several augers at the bottom of the ice storage, they areplaced one beside the other. Such a known plant has an ice productioncapacity of about 10–20 tons of ice in one day. This known plant has lowice storage capacity, and does not allow intermediate storage ofproduced ice to any great extent. By such wanting ice storage capacity,the production capacity is far too small. The known plant with chaindrive at the bottom of the ice storage has, by one short wall of thestorage, an ice-chipping device which chips off ice from an adjacent icemass surface. The resulting chipped-off pieces of ice subsequently falldown to an underlying auger. Also this known plant is restricted tosmaller sizes and capacities, about 10–20 tons of ice per day.

Besides the above-mentioned plants for producing, dividing and releasingice, there are also manual ice storages, which constitute the systemused most to date in connection with smaller plants. The ice is choppedinto small pieces with a spade and are shovelled by hand into therotating auger which transports the ice out of the ice storage. Thismanually operated plant assumes that the operator treads and walks onthe ice chopped loose, and the use of such ice in connection withfoodstuffs is not allowed.

A variant of said manually operated ice storage is the so-called “minorice storage”, in which loosened, comminuted ice is taken out throughhatch openings at the side of the ice storage and into the utilitycrate. This variant of a plant is still in use and represents a smallinvestment, but it is laborious and only suitable in connection with aminor ice storage capacity, a daily production of ice of about 10–15tons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention has therefore been to alleviate orreduce to a substantial degree, by simple and cheap means, the defects,drawbacks and limitations of application of known technique, and thusprovide simple improving devices for ice storages, in which a novel anddistinctive floor construction enables convenient outlet of ice from thebottom, whereby the ice first formed is the first to be discharged fromthe ice storage.

A special object aimed at through the invention, has been to attain anice storage floor structure consisting of individual elements ofmulti-purpose function, which work, because of their shape, inparticular their cross-sectional shape, in combination with the movementof the individual elements adjusted in pairs, as an ice-chipping andreleasing means, and which together may form, in one preferredembodiment, when the ice within the storage is in its storage condition,a sufficiently tight ice storage floor, which is free from ice-leakage,and which constitutes the outlet opening of the ice storage in itsactive position.

The realization of the above object is implemented by the deviceaccording to the invention being formed and arranged so that it exhibitsthe characteristic features stated in the following claims.

The floor of an ice storage known in itself, where ice is produced andstored, for example in the form of cubes or as crushed plate-ice, isconstituted according to the invention of elongate, parallel,rod-/pipe-shaped elements which are preferably all provided withdistinct edge portions, which may be formed through the cross-sectionalshape (cornered/polygonal cross-section) of the elements and/or throughstrip-shaped carriers extending in the longitudinal direction of thefloor elements and distributed in the circumferential direction thereof.

The rod-/pipe-shaped ice storage floor elements are supportedindividually for rotation about their respective longitudinal axes. Itis the rotational support of the floor elements that is effectedindividually; said elements may be driven by one common drive mechanism,for example a gear transmission, whereby each floor element has a geararranged thereto, the gears being identical and engaging adjacent gears.Counted from one end of the ice storage floor, the outermost (left-hand)gear is arranged to rotate clockwise. Thereby the associated floorelement is also rotated clockwise. The direction of rotation of theoutermost but one gear is of course contrary and for the associated icestorage floor element also anti-clockwise.

The rotational directions of all gears and associated floor elements aregiven, and it should be evident that the gears and thereby the floorelements cooperate in pairs, two by two, rotating towards one another,and will thus have an outward/downward feeding effect on the ice, whichhas been chipped off above-lying ice mass by means of thecornered/polygonal (for example octagonal) distinct cross-sectional edgeportions, possibly in combination with strip-like carrier means.

The same effect can be achieved if all floor elements have the samedirection of rotation.

The elongate, straight, rod-/pipe-shaped ice storage floor elements mayhave such a diameter and be spaced so that, adapted to the transversaldimension of the strip-shaped carrier means, in a given rotationalposition of each floor element relative to the adjacent element(s), saidelements will together form a tight ice storage floor. For rod/pipeelements that have a cornered/polygonal cross-section this applies whenadjacent edge portions are brought into an approximately tighteningabutment against one another, and by floor elements provided withcarriers, when adjacent strip-shaped carrier means engage one another.

Instead of longitudinal, continuous carrier strips, in particular byfloor elements of a cornered/polygonal cross-section, relativelynarrowly spaced tooth-/spike-like chipping and carrying means may beused, for example arranged in groups in longitudinal and transversalrows or placed more randomly, distributed at random across the parallelrod-/pipe-shaped elements. Such carrier teeth or spikes may be formedand positioned so that by the individual rotational movements of thefloor elements, they may be continuous, or the angle of rotation may belimited, for example to 180° in either direction, whereby every secondrotational movement will constitute a return movement in relation to thefeeding rotational movement. Such a rotation through a half rotationclockwise and then a half back turn, anti-clockwise, is the is easiestway of adapting the floor element to the desire for a tight ice storagefloor in the idle ice-storing position thereof.

The external circumferential shape of the ice storage floor elements mayvary, and for example, as mentioned, square pipes or pipes with anexternal polygonal circumferential shape, for example with an octagonalor hexagonal outer circumferential shape, may be used.

The floor elements, possibly with carriers, are sized and supported inthe adjacent frame or wall structure, so that in its differentconditions the ice storage floor can withstand the weight of the iceresting thereon.

The present invention entails substantial simplifications in thestoring, detaching/chipping, releasing and transport of ice, andprovides for a more hygienic storing, letting out and transport of icefrom the ice storage to the place of consumption. This novel system issuitable for all types of ice, and there is no need for additionalcooling, as with the known plants with augers at the bottom. The systemaccording to the invention has few moving parts, which makes it veryreliable in operation. By changing the rotational movement and/or speedof the individual floor elements, a desired adjustability may beachieved.

The ice which is produced in ice storages of the kind in question isnormally shaped as cubes or is found in the form of crushed plate-ice.In the known plant with an auger at the bottom, where the ice storage ismostly used in connection with freezing flake-ice, cases of ice flakesmelting and freezing to one another have been observed, and it is inorder to avoid this that extra cold energy is supplied to the knownplant. The ice storage of this known plant is placed in a cold storage,possibly equipped with a separate cooling device and insulated walls.This is a very elaborate and very expensive solution, and the presentinvention represents great simplifications relative to this, which willprovide considerable financial savings.

A non-limiting example of preferred embodiments will be explained in thefollowing with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic end view of an ice storage with a floor formedand configured in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 shows, in a partial view, a longitudinal section of onepipe-shaped ice storage floor element with external carrier means in theform of longitudinal carrier strips, in 90° division;

FIG. 3 shows an end view of a gear transmission comprising four mutuallyengaging, equally big gears, whose axes of rotation are on a commonhorizontal line, and where each gear is connected concentrically to anassociated, rotationally supported floor element, so that in pairs thefloor elements rotate, two by two, in opposite directions, towards oneanother, whereby a left-hand floor element (gear) of the pair rotatesclockwise, whereas the other (right-hand) rotates anti-clockwise.

FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 3, but here is shown another embodiment ofthe drive mechanism of the floor elements, namely in the form of a chaindrive;

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIGS. 3 and 4, but here is shown a thirdembodiment of the drive mechanism of the floor elements, namely relativeto gears driven by a common motorized pitch rack;

FIGS. 6–9 show alternative embodiments of the floor elements of the icestorage, where;

FIG. 6 showing a second embodiment, in which the cross-sectional shapeis circular for the outer circumference, provided with respective-eightlongitudinal strip-shaped carriers equidistant spaced around therespective ice storage floor element;

FIG. 7 showing a third embodiment, in which the cross-sectional shape isregularly octagonal at the outer circumference; each floor element thusbeing formed with eight straight, distinct edges, which will work asefficient chipping means on the over-lying layer of ice, with nocarriers;

FIG. 8 showing a fourth embodiment, in which the floor elements have acircle-cylindrical outer surface and are provided with two longitudinal,strip-shaped carriers; and

FIG. 9 showing a fifth embodiment, in which the cross-sectional shape isregularly hexagonal, and in which the floor elements are each providedadditionally with two longitudinal carrier strips.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1 and 2, in which the referencenumerals 10 and 12 in FIG. 1 identify opposite side walls of aschematically visualized ice storage, in which the ceiling wall isidentified by 14 and the “floor” generally by 16.

Essentially, it is the floor structure 16 which forms the object of thepresent invention, it being formed of a suitable number, i.e. two ormore, of elongate ice storage floor elements, generally identified by18, extending parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction ofthe ice storage 10,12,14,16. The elongate elements or profiles areconveniently rod-like or tubular.

The ice storage floor 16 may have a horizontal extent or form arelatively small, acute angle with a horizontal plane.

Each individual tubular floor element 18 is rotationally supportedindividually, in a manner known in itself, dependent on surface area,cross-sectional profile, span, weight of the ice etc.

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal floor element section which forms only partof the full length of the floor element. This floor element 18 is oftubular shape. An axle is identified by 19. The element 18 is externallyprovided with entirely or approximately radially projecting carriermeans 20, which may extend, in this embodiment, throughout the length ofthe floor element 18. A key way in the end portion of the axle 19 isidentified by 21.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 of continuously extending carriermeans, these may be placed, on adjacent floor elements 18, to engage oneanother in a sealing manner by partial rotation through an angle of 90°,for the formation is of an essentially tight ice storage floor 16. Incase a leakage-free ice storage floor is not desirable or necessary forround floor elements 18, the consecutive carrier strips 20 may possiblybe replaced by more tooth-/spike-like carriers (not shown) which willhave—like the carrier strips 20—the intended chipping/scraping effect onthe lowermost layer of the above-lying ice mass.

As explained earlier, the floor elements 18 rotate in pairs, two andtwo, in opposite directions of rotation, towards one another, in orderto feed down ice mass, torn and loosened by the carriers 20, in theintermediate slots between the floor elements 18.

This loosened mass, which falls down through the slots between the floorelements 18, lands at the bottom on a conveyor device in the form of,for example, one, two or more augers in upwards open, cylindricalhousings 23, FIG. 1, or a conveyor belt 30, FIGS. 3 and 4. Theseconveyors and their positioning are not objects of the presentinvention.

It is arbitrary in what way the rotationally supported floor elements 18are driven. In large plants, with very coarse profiles 18, a driveengine may be connected to each profile/pipe 18. However, it is oftenmore convenient to use a gear transmission, chain or belt drive.

In FIG. 3 is suggested the use of a gear transmission on an ice storagefloor (hidden behind the gears), in which each floor element has aconcentric gear 22, 24, 26 arranged thereto (the gear on the left ishidden behind a drive engine 28), which are equally big and engageadjacent wheels. The hidden gear on the extreme left is assumed to bedriven clockwise by the engine 28, so that the immediately followinggear 22 is rotated anti-clockwise. The last two gears 24, 26 of this rowof interconnected gears are rotated in the same manner, i.e. towards oneanother from the level of the axis downwards, to feed down chipped offmass of ice to an underlying conveyor belt 30.

To achieve the same pattern of rotation as in FIG. 3, by the belt orchain drive 30 in FIG. 4, the belt/chain is run in a “sinusoidal” path,so that the chain wheels 34 and 36 and associated floor elements 18 onthe one side, and the chain wheels 38 and 40 and associated floorelements 18 on the other side are brought to rotate towards one anotherthrough opposite directions of rotation, from the axis level downwards,in order to feed down chipped off ice mass to an underlying conveyorbelt 30.

An engine 42 with a small driving chain wheel 44 wedged to the outputdriving shaft thereof, is mounted on a frame portion somewhat above thechain wheels 34, 36, 38 and 40. The chain 32 is laid over this drivewheel 44 and from there on about a tightening wheel 46 which also servesto guide the chain 32 in towards the upper circumferential portion ofthe chain wheel 34. Thereby, the chain 32 gets to attack a larger arc ofthe chain wheel 34 than if the chain 32 was passed directly from thedrive wheel 44 to the upper circumferential portion of the chain wheel34.

The profiled floor elements 18 may be supported/driven for continuousrotation in one and same direction, towards each other in pairs inopposite directions, or the support/driving method may be based onpitched rotation (preferably 180° in opposite directions, down and thenback up into start position) of each floor element.

By adjustment of the speed of rotation of the floor elements 18, the icedischarging rate could be adjusted as required.

According to FIG. 5, each of, for example, four parallel horizontallyextending ice storage floor elements (not visible) is provided with atransmissions means in the form of a cylindrical gear 48, 50, 52 and 54engaged and driven by a shared motorized pitch rod 56. Above-lying,parallel, horizontally extending, freely rotational support and guiderollers 60 retain the displaceable pitch rod 56 in a driving engagementwith each of the gears 48, 50, 52, 54. By the reference numeral 58 isgenerally identified a drive engine, on whose output shaft is wedged agear with small teeth that engage corresponding teeth spaces on atoothed portion of the pitch rod 56.

FIGS. 6–9 show some different cross-sectional shapes (with and withoutcarrier/chipping strips 20) for ice storage floor elements, in which;

FIG. 6 shows a circular cross-section with eight carrier/chipping strips20 a (central angle 45°). This second type of element is identified by18 a.

In FIG. 7 the cross-sectional shape of the floor elements 18 b isregularly octagonal, and here no carrier strips are used. The octagonalcross-section provides distinct, longitudinal edge portions of excellentchipping and carrying properties.

According to FIG. 8 the cross-sectional shape is circular, and eachfloor element 18 c is provided with two carriers 20 c.

In FIG. 9 the cross-sectional shape is hexagonal, which provides, as faras it goes, the desired distinct longitudinal edge portions of chippingand carrying properties by the rotational motions of the floor elements18 d. However, in this embodiment of the floor elements it has beenpreferred to fit two carrier strips 28 d.

1. An ice storage or other ice-producing/storing room device with sidewalls (10, 12) and a floor construction (16), and at least oneunderlying conveyor (23; 30) to carry away ice, which has been chippedloose and thus been separated from the ice mass in the ice storage,characterized in that said floor construction (16) consists of elongate,essentially mutually parallel, floor elements (18; 18 a; 18 b; 18 c; 18d) with intermediate slots, the floor elements being rotational andarranged to be driven individually, in pairs or collectively, and thatat least one floor element is formed with distinct edge portions formedby a cornered/polygonal cross-sectional shape of the at least one floorelement and/or its external carrier elements (20; 20 a; 20 c; 20 d). 2.A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the floor elements(18; 18 a; 18 b; 18 c; 18 d) are freely rotational, in both directionsof rotation, and have a drive mechanism (28; 42; 58) arranged thereto,which ensures, by interconnection of a transmission device (22, 24, 26;32, 34, 36, 38, 40), a rotation of the floor elements (18) in pairs inopposite directions, towards one another.
 3. A device according to claim2, characterized in that each rotationally supported floor element isfitted with a pulley or a chain wheel (34, 36, 38, 40), a driven,endless belt or chain (32) being positioned alternately over an uppercircumferential portion of a first pulley/chain wheel, and over a lowercircumferential portion of an adjacent second pulley/chain wheel.
 4. Adevice according to claim 2, characterized in that each rotationallysupported floor element (18) is fitted with gears (22, 24, 26) engagingone another.
 5. A device according to claim 2, characterized in thateach rotationally supported floor element (18) is fitted with a gear(48, 50, 52, 54) which is engaged and driven by a shared motorized pitchrod (56).
 6. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that thecarrier elements (20; 20 a; 20 b; 20 c; 20 d) have the form of elongatecarrier strips, which extend essentially in a longitudinal direction ofthe floor elements (18), coextensively with the floor elements.
 7. Adevice according to claim 6, characterized in that the floor elements(18; 18 a; 18 b; 18 c; 18 d) are spaced apart laterally to form anintermediate slot or slots, and that the carrier strips (20; 20 a; 20 b;20 c; 20 d) have a radial extent beyond the outer surfaces of the floorelements, somewhat shorter than a width of the slot, and that thecarrier strips of one floor element (18; 18 a; 18 b; 18 c; 18 d) areplaced so in relation to the carrier strips (20; 20 a; 20 b; 20 c; 20 d)of at least one adjacent floor element that the carrier strips engageone another by rotational motions of the two floor elements.
 8. A deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier elements havethe form of teeth or spikes.
 9. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that each floor element has a limited rotatability ofabout 180° in both directions of rotation.
 10. A device according toclaim 1, characterized in that each of the ice storage floor elements(18 b) has a regularly octagonal cross-section.
 11. A device accordingto claim 1, characterized in that each of the ice storage floor elements(18 d) has a regularly hexagonal cross-section and is equipped withcarrier strip elements (20 d).
 12. A device according to claim 1,characterized in that each floor element (18; 18 a; 18 c) has a circularcross-section and is provided with two, four or eight carrier strips(20; 20 a; 20 c) equidistantly spaced around a circumference of therespective floor element.